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MOUNT VERNON - Three months ago, attorney R. Kelly Hamilton seemingly rested his case, after
bringing dozens of witnesses to testify that John Freshwater was a great teacher who never would
preach in class or intentionally harm a student.

The administrative hearing to determine whether Freshwater could keep his job teaching 8th-grade
science, now almost two years long, appeared to be complete.

But Hamilton never closed his case.

It resumed today, and will continue Friday. At least three additional dates are scheduled for
June, amid uncertainty about when the hearing will end.

Both sides have agreed not to convene the hearing during summer break because witnesses will be
difficult to schedule.

Hamilton has subpoenaed 16 additional witnesses since Jan. 15, when an anonymous letter was sent
to Freshwater and the school board telling them about materials allegedly taken from his classroom
that might exonerate him.

The items include textbooks with handwritten notes that Freshwater testified would illustrate
his 8th-grade science techniques at Mount Vernon Middle School.

They also include snake and swordfish remains in jars, mule deer antlers and a mummified cat,
remnants of his 20-plus year career.

Attorney David Millstone, who represents the school district, said the items have always been
available.

"Had they asked for it, I could care less," he said. "There's nothing there."

Several former students testified today that Freshwater touched students' arms with an
electrostatic lab instrument to illustrate electricity . But each denied that anyone was forced to
have their arms touched.

One student, Tokala Redman, was asked about testimony from her classmate, Zach Dennis, that
Freshwater held his arm down, burned a cross on it and often preached religion in class.

"He's lying," she said. "He didn't hold anyone's arm down."

The students all volunteered, she said.

A civil suit filed by the Dennis family against Freshwater is scheduled to begin next month in
federal court.

Redman acknowledged that posters bearing each of the Ten Commandments were on the classroom
walls.

On cross examination by Millstone, she said Freshwater told the class the device would leave a
mark, which she described as like an X, not a cross.